Silky Sass

This compact is such a cute little idea. I think this is great to give away in grab bags, for bachelorette parties, stocking stuffers, or really any time you wish to give a token of affection or appreciation for a cosmetic lover in your life. It's great for jet-setting across the country when you need to pack light and fast for your red carpet debut. The colors are subtle and dainty in a striking way that says seduction is your mission.

Published:
December 18, 2011

Pros:

Silky texture in the eye shadows and blush, creates a subtle smoky eye.

Cons:

Lip gloss is kind of waxy and the applicator is just a stand in for your trusted tools.

Cosmetics have a variety of uses in this day and age, from covering the tiniest imperfection to covering deep acne scars. Mostly, cosmetics are used to draw attention to and highlight your favorite features---the lips, eyes, and cheekbones. As most women have learned by now, certain colors look really good on one skin tone but can make another look washed out or cartoonish. Those with blue or green eyes will find that shadows of similar hues and browns work really well and make the color in their eyes pop, while those with brown eyes may find that they have a wider arena to play in when it comes to choosing a color palette. Purples and golds can add depth to chocolate brown eyes and light greens and blues will pull out the blue, green and gold specks of a hazel eye.

This particular palette, titled "Walking the Red Carpet" has what I would describe as an earthy purple eye shadow and sand tones for contouring the lid and highlighting the brow. The blush is a dusky rose for contour and a highlight in a shade very similar to the second eye shadow. The lip glosses are sheer pinks; the two on either end are matte finish and the one in the middle is a shimmery gloss.

I believe just about any eye color could be enhanced with this collection of subtle earth tones, but the blush is a little trickier. I think it would look best with an olive skin tone. It's a little dark for my ivory skin tone, making it difficult to blend into a natural look.

The lip glosses are thick and some what waxy to the touch. I rubbed a dab of it on my arm to see how it looked against my skin, I forgot to wipe it off before I began typing and my arm stuck to the keyboard. I allowed it to sit on my lips for as long as I could stand it, and my lips do not feel soft or moisturized. They feel a little dry and tight. Though the product makes no such claims of softening or moisturizing the lips it would have been nice to have aloe in there.

The eye shadows are silky to the touch and glide on quite easily. The effect is subtle and less intense on my ivory skin than what I think it would be on darker skin tones. To brighten the shadows effects, I first applied a base to prime the lid to keep the shadow from creasing or flaking off. I then applied a sheer, yellow creme eye shadow from L'Oreal. I waited for a few minutes to ensure both layers were set before I applied a bright white powdered eye shadow with a bristled brush, not a sponge applicator. After blending the layers with a makeup sponge, I then began applying the Not Soap Radio palette. I first used the darkest shadow on my lower lid and outlined just below the lash line, then used the middle shade in the crease and used the lightest shade to highlight my brow. Throughout the evening I found that it was quite easy to smudge and rub away, but I find this to be true with most eye shadows. The blush is the same texture and the same consistency as the eyeshadow---silky, powdered makeup.

I believe the lip gloss is kind of worthless in regards to making someone want to kiss your lips all night long. There are other alternatives on the market and I'm sure most women and a healthy portion of men already have a favorite lip gloss, so I wouldn't count that as a loss but kind of an irrelevant bonus.

The eye shadows are great for a subtle, not-too-smoky but sexy look all the same. They last for quite awhile if applied with a heavy hand, but it did seem to take more work than I was willing to put in for a dramatic red carpet effect.

The blush adds a really dramatic flair that might be too dark for lighter skin tones but I think would work perfectly on medium skin tones.

The packaging is an adorable compact sized cardboard construction that has magnets on the inside to keep the lid from flipping open and getting makeup all over the inside of your bag. There's a clever little saying on the front:

I'm not here, I'm really walking the red carpet dressed in couture, on the arm of my fabulous date. Throngs of people call my name as I glide effortlessly past the flashing lights of paparazzi that capture my every glance, every nuance. Turn, smile and wave at the crowd, I am sparkling, glamorous, invincible. The night is mine."

There's a mirror on the inside that will aid in the application process when on the go and an applicator brush for the eyes, lips and cheeks. You might be better off just using your fingers, though. The applicator doesn't pick up a lot of product at once, so you'll be going back and forth a bit if you don't use your own brushes.